Category: News

We are receiving a lot of questions about lodging and activities in the area. Here’s some inside Hillclimber information!

LODGING –

On the upper right hand corner of this webpage, you will see a tab marked LODGING. Here you will find info on hotels, motels, rentals and campgrounds in the area. We have also received word recently from these hillclimb supporting owners that they do have rentals/rooms available. PLEASE let them know you are an SCCA hillclimber when you call. ALL of these folks have supported our hillclimbs, many have sponsored cars and we do appreciate them and their help! :

If you are bringing spouse and family, it’s nice to find other activities in the area. We hear many stories from drivers that come to Robbinsville and Graham County for a hillclimb …and come back later for a vacation! The Nanatahala Forests, Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forests, Cherohala Skyway, the Tail of the Dragon, Lake Santeetlah … all make a wonderful backdrop for a family getaway with arts & crafts, fishing, boating, hiking, and beautiful drives. Click here for a great list of things to do compiled by our own Safety Steward – Karyn Culligan Hudson!

We are proud to announce Team Entropy will be entering an electric sports racer at the Dragon Hillclimb March 22-23!

The team is made up of project manager Charlie Greenhaus, Chief Programmer Charles Turano and Lead Driver, Todd Reid. Their mission is clear “The Entropy Racing EVSR program is determined and ready to show the racing world that electric race cars are not only possible, but viable and attainable to the racing community, without nearly as many zeroes at the end of the invoice. EVSR is less revolutionary, than it is evolutionary. EVSR has grown from solid racing principals and a well proven chassis. We look forward to it paving the way for many EVs on the track competing, quickly, cleanly and quietly.”

So… what’s this car have in the way of torque? Brace yourself… “The EVSR is based on a popular Sports Racing car which is heavily modified to accommodate the power plant and battery packs in a safe, lightweight nimble package. The frame is constructed of square tubular steel which is both stout and relatively light. The batteries are contained in reinforced aluminum cases on either side of the car and securely mounted to provide a safety barrier for the driver, while being fully encased and safe from external damage themselves. Power is provided by an AC electric motor rated at 160 horsepower, with over 200 pound feet of torque instantly available through its entire speed range. The power is transmitted through a conventional automotive differential and custom drive shafts. There are high performance disc brakes on all 4 corners and the steering goes through a very tight rack and pinion.”

The road race car will be classed as a Special. We look forward to seeing this car flying (although quietly) up the Dragon Hillclimb! Team Entropy is actively seeking sponsors so they can continue to grow this effort! Please go to their website for more information – www.evsr.net and please share this page with any organizations you deal with that would be interested in helping these guys!

Entry Fee is $260 . We do accept SCCA Time Trial Novice license ($35 & 2 forms – no doctor physical required) and other organized racing competition licenses . First time drivers on the hill and novice license holders are required to attend a classroom session Friday night before the hillclimb. (See supps for full details).

LODGING This is off season so many of the Lake Houses and cabins around Santeetlah close to the Hillclimb site are GREATLY discounted. See full list under lodging tab above on this page. Let the renters know you are with the hillclimb group. Campgrounds are available as well for RV but U.S. Forestry Campgrounds will be closed until April.

STAFF Staff receives free worker gifts, lodging at Microtel, food and steak dinner at the social Saturday night. Positions are rotated so staff gets to see all of the event from different spots during the weekend. Please email Vicki Eckerich with shirt size, age, contact information and if you are bringing a friend – roommate preference. vickieckerich@att.net

We look forward to sharing a GREAT weekend of racing and continuing a Southern motorsports tradition. The beautiful Nantahala Forests, a challenging 2.3 mile road, many of the best hillclimb cars and drivers in the US, a large crowd of spectators and the wonderful hospitality of Graham County and the City of Robbinsville, NC! See you at the Dragon!

Seventy five drivers converged on Robbinsville, NC for a great weekend of hillclimb racing. The Chasing the Dragon Hillclimb has grown each year it has been held. The drivers came from Wisconsin, Florida, New Jersey and several are transplants to America from their home towns in Italy, Germany, Australia, Sweden and Finland. A group of over 3000 spectators saw drift cars, McLaren MB1 Can Am car, a Lancia Delta Integrale Rally car, a Jaguar XKE, a Fiat 500, a Caterham and many other unique sports cars and race cars. Read more

1. EVERY driver that enters and makes one run up the hill a coupon for $100 off on a set of TOYO Tires

2. In every class with three or more drivers, TOYO will award a trophy and $150 to FIRST PLACE in class AND … a trophy and $45 to each SECOND PLACE in class. AND an additional $150 to King of the Hill and $150 to Queen of the Hill along with their regular DRAGONSLAYER SWORDS!

NOTE : YOU MUST BE PRESENT AT CEREMONY TO RECEIVE CASH OR TROPHY!

So if you currently a driver in a class with 2 cars, we suggest you consider loaning your car to a friend or trying to find more drivers in your class!

Great thanks to APPALACHIAN RACE TIRE and TOYO TIRES for their sponsorship! This is going to be EPIC!

SCCA HILLCLIMB RACING!!!!

Welcome to the Chasing the Dragon Hillclimb website! The Dragon Hillclimb is a Sports Car Club of America Time Trial event - competition licensed drivers in prepared sports cars race one at a time up a 2 mile mountain road in class competition. The course is located near The Tail of the Dragon in beautiful Robbinsville, NC - Graham County. The road we race is on the edge of the Nantahala Forest where spectators, course workers and drivers enjoy some of North Carolina's most beautiful mountain scenery! We invite you to join us as a driver, a worker, event staff or as a spectator for a true SOUTHERN tradition that began in the 50's...HILLCLIMB! There is nothing like it ! Contact Steve Eckerich for more information : SEckerich.Stampco@charter.net